The Care Workers’ Charity issues a response to Work Rights Centre’s new report, The Forgotten Third: Migrant Care Workers’ Views on Improving Conditions in England’s Adult Social Care Sector, which sheds light on critical challenges faced by migrant workers in the industry.
Karolina Gerlich, CEO of the Care Workers’ Charity, says “This report highlights deeply troubling realities for many migrant care workers. We have consistently advocated for action on the inadequate pay, limited advancement opportunities, and excessive working hours that care workers can endure. The accounts in this report — of some workers clocking over 100 hours a week while others face underemployment — only reinforce the urgent need for reform.
Key findings of The Forgotten Third reveal that 59% of respondents had experienced workplace discrimination, including racism, and many feared that raising grievances might jeopardize their immigration status. Migrant care workers also reported significant difficulties in changing visa sponsors, which further restricts their employment options and mobility.
Fear of reprisal and visa complications should not be faced by any care worker, and we’ve heard these same stories from workers through grant applications and in roundtable discussions with frontline staff. No one should feel silenced or afraid of losing their status for speaking out about injustices in their workplace.
The Care Workers’ Charity is calling for urgent action from policymakers, employers, and industry stakeholders to address these systemic issues, including the implementation of better pay, progression opportunities, and support structures that protect workers’ rights without compromising their immigration status.
Every worker deserves respect, fair pay, and a safe environment in which to work. This report should be a wake-up call, and we urge everyone in the sector to take these findings seriously and act swiftly to improve conditions.”